The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against infection with HPV, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer, as well as other cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus.
HPV is so common that nearly everyone will be exposed to it at some point in their lives.
In about 9 out of 10 cases, an HPV infection goes away on its own within two years without causing any health problems. But when HPV does stick around, it can result in a number of complications, some of them potentially life-threatening. That’s why the HPV vaccine is so important.
Here’s everything you need to know about the HPV vaccine, including who should and shouldn’t get immunized and how many vaccine doses are required.
The HPV vaccine provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against HPV infection. It protects against several strains of HPV that can cause cancers, including most cases of cervical cancer, anal cancer, oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, and genital cancers.
The vaccine can also prevent genital warts caused by certain HPV strains.
Gardasil 9, available since 2014, is the only HPV vaccine brand available in the United States. There are additional brands of HPV vaccine in other countries, but they don’t protect against as many HPV strains as Gardasil 9.
Gardasil 9 helps prevent infection from nine types of HPV, such as:
Two low-risk cutaneous (on the skin's surface) HPV types: HPV-6 and HPV-11
Several high-risk mucosal (mucosal tissue is inside the vagina and anus) HPV types, including HPV-16 and HPV-18, which cause most cervical cancers and precancers, as well as many cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and mouth and throat
Other high-risk HPV types, including 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these recommendations for who should get the HPV vaccine.
Boys and Girls Ages 11 or 12 The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for both boys and girls starting at ages 11 or 12, though it can be administered as early as age 9. The vaccine is most effective when given before any exposure to HPV, which means typically before individuals begin sexual activity. (Note that HPV can be transmitted by intimate skin-to-skin contact as well as intercourse.)
Some Teens and Young Adults Up to Age 26 The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for teens and young adults who haven’t been immunized at all or haven't completed the full vaccination series of two or three doses. This includes people who may have already been sexually active and had some exposure to HPV, since the vaccine can protect against viral strains these individuals haven’t encountered.
Some High-Risk Adults Ages 27 Through 45 People in this age group should discuss their risks with their healthcare team to decide if they should get the HPV vaccine.
The vaccine should not be given to:
Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient of an HPV vaccine or to a previous dose of HPV vaccine
People who are allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine, such as yeast in the vaccine brand Gardasil 9
People who are pregnant
People who are seriously ill or have a fever. If someone has a moderate or severe illness at the time of the vaccine, they should wait until they have recovered before getting immunized
Anyone starting the HPV immunization series between the ages of 9 and 14 will need two doses given 6 to 12 months apart.
Those starting the vaccine series at age 15 or older will require three doses, with the second dose given 1 to 2 months after the first, and the third dose administered 6 months after the first.
The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection with the strains of HPV it targets.
For people vaccinated before any HPV exposure, the vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing cervical cancer and cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer. It also protects against 90 percent of HPV strains that cause anal cancer.
The vaccine also has significant benefits in preventing oropharyngeal cancer in both men and women, which is cancer of the throat, tonsils, and back of tongue. That’s especially important because there is no screening for that type of cancer.
HPV vaccination is almost 100 percent effective in preventing external genital warts.
Studies show that the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine provides protection for at least six years after people complete the series. Scientists are continuing monitoring to see how long Gardasil 9 lasts.
As of now, there’s no indication that adults need a booster shot once they’ve completed the vaccine series at the recommended ages.
The HPV vaccine has been shown to be very safe. As with all vaccines, the ingredients in the HPV vaccine help make sure that it is effective and safe. These ingredients occur naturally in the environment, the human body, and foods.
The HPV vaccine contains aluminum (the hepatitis B and Tdap vaccines do, too) in order to boost the body’s immune response. People are exposed to aluminum every day through food, cooking utensils, water, and even breast milk. As the American Cancer Society notes, aluminum-containing vaccines have been used for decades and have been given safely to many billions of people. Hundreds of studies in millions of people worldwide have shown that the HPV vaccine is safe.
Most side effects of the HPV vaccine are mild and temporary. These can include:
Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Nausea
Dizziness
Severe allergic reactions and serious side effects are rare.
Can the HPV Vaccine Give You HPV?
The HPV vaccine cannot give you HPV. The vaccine contains virus-like particles, which are not live viruses, so it cannot cause infection. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight the specific strains of HPV it targets.
Does the HPV Shot Impact Fertility?
HPV vaccination does not cause fertility problems. In fact, it may preserve fertility. Individuals who don’t get the vaccine are at risk for HPV cancers and precancers, which could require treatment that might limit a person’s ability to have children.
The cost of the HPV vaccine can vary depending on a person’s healthcare provider and insurance plan. Close to 99 percent of people with commercial insurance (through an employer or private policy) paid no out-of-pocket costs.
In the United States, most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of the HPV vaccine for children and adults under age 26. The vaccine may also be available at no cost through some public health programs.
Without insurance or coupons, the vaccine can cost $286.78 a dose.
You can get the HPV vaccine at doctor’s offices, healthcare clinics, and public health departments. It is also available at some pharmacies and through public health programs for adolescents and young adults.
Check with your doctor or visit the CDC’s vaccination provider tool for more information on where to get the vaccine.
The Takeaway
HPV vaccination helps prevent cancers and genital warts caused by the most common strains of the human papillomavirus.
The vaccine is most effective when given before any sexual activity, but it may still benefit some adults up to age 45.
The two- or three-dose vaccine series provides long-lasting protection and doesn’t require a booster shot.
